Looking at Digital Camcorders...any advice?

[KBennett]

Our Sony video camera is getting pretty old(10 years) and is making some strange noises. We use it for the typical stuff... family, events, maybe even some racing.



Should I stay with Sony or is there some better models out there, hardrive or DVD, zoom, etc. ? How much should I expect to spend?

How about this Sony: Sony DCR-DVD405

 

[JSimoneaux]

Our Sony video camera is getting pretty old(10 years) and is making some strange noises. We use it for the typical stuff... family, events, maybe even some racing.



Should I stay with Sony or is there some better models out there, hardrive or DVD, zoom, etc. ? How much should I expect to spend?

How about this Sony: Sony DCR-DVD405

I currently own a Canon ZR200 which was in the $350 price range I believe, there are a few higher models out there now but they're all really close in price and options. I stuck with mini-DV-tape, it's damn good quality for home stuff. I haven't bought into the hard drive recording on a camera because I like to be able to drop a fresh tape in and keep recording without downloading the video.



Sony also makes some great new mini-DV units in the same price range.

 

[me4osu]

If you have a good computer with a DVD burner, I would recommend the HD camcorder. We have one of the first mini DVD-R disk camcorders, and I hate it. I wish we had bought one of the hard-drive models.

 

[E7mack96]

WE have one of the hdd camcorders, a JVC Everio. We opted for the HD quality one. It was like 999. 00. We took it on our Disney cruise to the Bahamas. The quality is phenominal. A dvd burned from this camera is better than some dvds i've bought at the store. The zoom will pick up "tail" from a mile a way. Think a crusie ship passing a beach with fine honeys laying out, or possibly a party yacht that doesn't know you are filming. Spend the coin, and you'll be very satisfied.

 

[KBennett]

The zoom will pick up "tail" from a mile a way. Think a crusie ship passing a beach with fine honeys laying out, or possibly a party yacht that doesn't know you are filming. Spend the coin, and you'll be very satisfied.

"tail" :-laf Is that how they are rated? I didn't read any reviews online about the "tail resolution" :-laf



On some reviews I have read there were some concerns about the format the camera recorded the files. Does your camera record in . mpg or similar format?

 

[E7mack96]

the actual video files are . mod, but that is just their extension. It plays in windows media, or when burned to dvd, is the same file as a normal dvd. There is no compression with their format and, as such, there is no sacrifice when burning dvds.

 

[KBennett]

Update:

I purchased the M77 JVC Everio. It is a hard drive based unit which I like because I will be E-mailing a lot of video and it is already in a format that can be sent.



With the 30GB hard drive it has 7 hours of recording time in the highest resolution format. It also has 2 Mpixel resolution in still mode when the others were less.



So far it's working well but I have not had any "tail" to try it on. :-laf



Thanks guys for the input.

 

[E7mack96]

Hopefully, you will be as happy with yours as I am with mine.



Congrats on the purchase.



E7

 

[mberry]

Hopefully, you will be as happy with yours as I am with mine...

The "tail" or the camera?? :-laf

 

[E7mack96]

I am happy with the camera, and all the "tail" too.

 

[The patriot]

I gotta get one of those. I get funny looks with my binoculars at the beach.

ESPECIALLY when the "tail" is like 50Ft away. :-laf

 

[mazdarotary]

We have Sony Handycam DCR-HC32 mini-dv camcorder,and I love it. We first bought a Cannon mini-DVD camcorder for big bucks earlier this year,and I quickly realized we made a mistake. The mini-dvd was nice in some ways,but the battery life was poor,and the fact that you can't easily manipulate the video on the mini-dvd setups. We bought a new compter shortly thereafter(iMac),and with the video editing software that comes with it I ws looking to get a camcorder that I could use with the computer. We sold the Cannon to my brother-in-law,and his wife,and bought a left over mini-DV sony for around $250,and it is great.



I would vote against the DVD based units,but it all depends on what you want to do with it.